Women Human Rights Education & Environment Association
Disclaimer
This publication was produced by WHEEA with financial support from the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) through the KOMBOA project. The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of SIHA or KOMBOA. SIHA/KOMBOA does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein.
This briefing paper was prepared by Amira Abdirisak Bashir, Programme Manager of WHEEA. The paper presents an analysis of the growing backlash against women’s rights and its impact on sexual violence and legal protections. Sincere gratitude is extended to the SIHA Network team, including Hala Alkarib, Yousef Timacade, and the Regional Advocacy Team, for their valuable contributions, guidance, and support throughout the research and drafting process.
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Women Human Rights Education & Environment Association
The cost of backlash: how roll-backs on women’s rights deepen sexual violence in Somaliland
1. INTRODUCTION: Over the past decade Somaliland has seen a worrying convergence of political exclusion for women and active pushback against progressive sexual-offences laws and genderequity measures. The result is not only weaker legal protection for survivors, but social environments that enable sexual violence and silence victims. This article examines recent examples and reports, connects them to the rollback of protections and low female political representation, and outlines the human-rights and social costs for Somaliland’s women and girls. This article is released by the Women’s Human Rights, Education & Environment Association (WHEEA), with KOMBOA through the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network. It aims to expose the growing impact of backlash against the women’s rights movement in Somaliland, particularly following the rejection of progressive sexual-offences legislation. By documenting recent cases of sexual violence, political exclusion, and institutional failures, the article highlights how resistance to women’s rights has deepened impunity and vulnerability for women and girls. In addition to analysis, the article provides concrete policy recommendations for lawmakers, religious leaders, civil society, and international partners to strengthen protection, accountability, and women’s political participation in Somaliland.
Women Human Rights Education & Environment Association
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